Cis AWS Database 4.7

4.7 Ensure Monitor and Audit Activity is enabled

Description

Regular monitoring and auditing of activity in Amazon DynamoDB help ensure your database's security, performance, and compliance.

Rationale

This keeps track and ensures who has recently modified a document and monitors all activity within the database. This information allows the individual to use the details provided for auditing purposes and to address any compliance requirements.

Impact

N/A

Audit Procedure

Using AWS Console

1. Enable CloudTrail Logging for DynamoDB

   • Sign in to the AWS Management Console and open the CloudTrail console at https://console.aws.amazon.com/cloudtrail/.
   • Choose Trails from the left-side menu.
   • Click Create trail or select an existing trail.
   • Specify a trail name, choose an S3 bucket for storing logs, and configure other trail settings.
   • Under Data events, select the checkbox for DynamoDB to enable logging of DynamoDB data events.
   • Click Create trail or Save changes to save the CloudTrail configuration.

2. Enable DynamoDB Streams

   • Sign in to the AWS Management Console and open the DynamoDB console at https://console.aws.amazon.com/dynamodb/.
   • Select the DynamoDB table you want to monitor.
   • Click on the Overview tab.
   • Under the DynamoDB Streams section, click Manage stream.
   • Enable DynamoDB Streams with the desired view type (e.g., New and old images).
   • Click Enable.

3. Configure Amazon CloudWatch Alarms

   • Sign in to the AWS Management Console and open the CloudWatch console at https://console.aws.amazon.com/cloudwatch/.
   • In the left-side menu, click on Alarms.
   • Click Create alarm.
   • Select a DynamoDB metric to monitor (e.g., Read or Write capacity units).
   • Configure the threshold, conditions, and actions for the alarm.
   • Choose the actions to take when the alarm state is triggered (e.g., send notifications, auto-scaling actions, etc.).
   • Click Create alarm to save the configuration.

4. Analyze and Review Logs and Metrics

   • Sign in to the AWS Management Console and open the CloudWatch console at https://console.aws.amazon.com/cloudwatch/.
   • In the left-side menu, click Logs to access CloudWatch Logs.
   • Select the appropriate log group for DynamoDB (e.g., /aws/dynamodb/TableName).
   • Review the logs to monitor activities, errors, and any unusual behavior.
   • Navigate to the CloudWatch console and click Metrics in the left-side menu.
   • Select the DynamoDB namespace and the desired metrics (e.g., ConsumedReadCapacityUnits, ConsumedWriteCapacityUnits).
   • Analyze the metrics to identify trends, capacity needs, and potential issues.

5. Enable AWS Config for DynamoDB

   • Sign in to the AWS Management Console and open the AWS Config console at https://console.aws.amazon.com/config/.
   • Click on Rules in the left-side menu.
   • Click Add rule.
   • Configure a rule for DynamoDB compliance checks, such as checking for unencrypted tables or insecure IAM policies.
   • Customize the rule settings and scope based on your requirements.
   • Click Save to create the AWS Config rule.

Expected Result

CloudTrail logging is enabled for DynamoDB data events, DynamoDB Streams are enabled, CloudWatch alarms are configured, and AWS Config rules are in place for compliance monitoring.

Remediation

Using AWS Console

Follow the same steps as the audit procedure to enable monitoring and auditing for DynamoDB.

Default Value

By default, CloudTrail logs management events but not DynamoDB data events. DynamoDB Streams are disabled by default.

References

1. https://aws.amazon.com/products/databases/

CIS Controls

Profile

Level 1 | Manual